Mechanical automobile instructor



Au 6, 1929 M. J. MCKENNA 1,723,744

MECHANICAL AUTOMOBILE INSTRUCTOR Filed Nov. 18, 1927 "I mm a 55 M g lfl %2z I glwuenfoc g1 f t an 1 ma fl M 5%.

Patented Aug. 6,1929.

uNr Eo STA 1,123,144 PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL J. rrc'xnmm, or JERSEY orrv, NEW :rnnsnv.

; iunonamoan auroiuonrnn msrauoron.

Application filed November 18, 1927. Serial 170,234,176.

My invention relates to mechanical automobile instructors, or mechanical means for facilitating the learning of the art] of driving an automobile, and the invention has as its prime object to furnish a means whereby a person may learn at home the Igudiments of the art of driving anautomo ile.

Another object is to provide an apparatus whereon all the operations of driving an automobile, except steering may be performed and learned by the novice without the danger ofactual practice in an automobile on. the streets.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a lan view of my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section along the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse section along the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

In carrying out the preferred embodiment of my invention, I provide a frame consist- 'ing of the longitudinal side rails 1 placed in parallel spaced relation, and the transverse braces 2 secured thereto. A transverse top plate 3 is also secured to the side rails 11 An H-shaped gear lever cut-out is pierced in the said top plate 3, the same including a central opening 4, the lateral stems 12 and the connecting'slots 13. Throughthis cut-out the vertical gear shift lever 5 with the handle knob 6, projects. The horizontal gear shift rod 7 is slidably in apertures 8 in the flanges 9 which are cut from the plate 3 at each side of the central cutout, and bent downward at 10. A-socket 11 is secured to the 'e r shift rod 7 and is internally threaded 'to engage the threaded end of the gear shift lever 5. As here shown the said gear shift lever is in the neutral position when in the central portion 4 of the cut-out, and in order to accomplish the usual shifts made in actual practice, I provide the said lateral slots 12 connected to the cut-out 4 bythe slots13. By sliding the lever to either side through the sl0ts 13 and then placing the lever in either of the opposite ends of the said slots 12, the actual action of shifting gears in an automobile is performed. To facilitate the movement transversely of the gear shift rod 7, a roller 14 7 so that in an is pivoted in the bracket 15 secured on the transverse bottom plate 16. The apertures 8 1n thefianges 9 are slightly oblong in a vertical direction so that the said gear rod 7 bearsonly upon the side of the apertures S and the roller 14 reducing friction to a minimum. A clutch pedal 17 is secured to the upstanding arm 18 of the horizontal clutch rod 19 which extends transversely across the frame and is rotatably mounted in the bearings 20. A retractile coil spring 21 is stretched between the end arm 22 of the clutch rod 19 and the side rail 1, and is adapted to hold the clutch pedal in an upright position.

In actual practice, the gears must not be shifted until the clutch is disen aged and to accomplish this action, I provi e a gear release rod 23 secured to the clutch rod 19 at 24:. A hole 25 is pierced in the plate 3 through which the hooked portion 26 of the rod projects downward. Suitable apertures 27 and 28 are provided in the gear rod of the positions assumed by the gear shift mechanism, the hooked. portion'26 of the gear release rod 23 will ,engage'one of the said apertures, preventing further shifting. As the clutch pedal 17 is pushed forward, the rotation of the clutch rod 19 causes the gear release rod 23 to rise,

thus releasing the gear rod 7. As illustrated, the hook 26' is in engagement with the aperture 27" for the neutral position, and the apertures for the various other shifts are indicated generally at 28. A brakepedal 7 so that the gear shift lever 5 may be moved into either reverse, low, intermediate or high speed position, as desired. Upon the release of'the clutch edal, the spring forces it forward, so that t e gear release rod en-, gages the gear rod, and the gear shift lever cannot be moved until the clutch is again operated confo'rmably with actual practice.

By providing a brake pedal and accelerator in combination with the gear and clutch mechanism, the various operations performed in handling a car may be easily,

appended claims.

I claim: 1. In a device 'ofthe kind described, a horizontally arranged frame having an H- shaped gear lever cut-out therein, a gear shift rod rotatably and slidably mounted below the said gear lever-cut-out, and a gear shift lever extended through the said gear lever cut-out and having its lower .end rigidly joined to the said gear shift rod, all of the said elements being provided and arranged in simulation of the corresponding elements of an automobile.

2. In a device of the kind described, a

horizontally arranged frame having an H- shaped gear lever cut-out therein, a gear shift rod rotatably and slidably mounted below said cut-out, the said rod having a plurality of radial gear release rod apertures formed therein, a gear shift lever extended through the said cut-out and having its lower end rigidly joined to the said gear shift rod, a clutch rod journaled across the frame, a clutch pedal and arm extended upwardly from the rod, means for holding the clutch pedal normally in itsupright position, a gear release rod having one end rigidly secured to the said clutch rod and having its opposite end bent and adapted to engage the said aperture in the gear shift rod, all of the said elements being provided and arranged in simulation of the corresponding elements of an automobile.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

MICHAEL J. MCKENNA. 

